Hey everyone — it’s John from On The Pulse.
How are you all doing this week?
In this week’s edition of On The Pulse, we’re sharing an essential guide for organizing client emails in Outlook.
This week’s topics include:
🔧 New “Quick Fix” Accessibility Feature for Word on Windows
↔️ Microsoft Planner: Resize columns in Grid view
🛡️ VirusTotal: FREE Protection Against Phishing Attacks
Let’s Go!👇
Also — I’d love to hear what you think of On The Pulse. Whether you love it or hate it, or there’s something new you’d like to see included, hit “reply” and share your thoughts!
✉️ TOP STORIES (WITH OUR INSIGHTS)
🔧 New “Quick Fix” Accessibility Feature for Word on Windows
A new “Quick fix” feature for the Windows desktop version of Word is Coming soon and is currently available to Microsoft 365 Insiders. The feature allows users to fix multiple accessibility issues in one click.
Full Story and Our Insights:
The Accessibility Assistant, in the Windows desktop version of Microsoft Word, helps create accessible content by identifying and suggesting fixes for accessibility issues.
To streamline the process, the new Quick Fix feature allows users to resolve multiple issues with a single click.
For example, related issues like low-contrast colors are grouped into a Quick Fix card. Users can select the card, view higher-contrast color suggestions, and apply fixes across the document.
Additionally, this feature can be used to review and approve auto-generated alt text for images, making the accessibility review process more efficient.
Here’s how it works:
This feature is currently available to members of the Microsoft 365 Insider Program using the Windows desktop version of Word.
Start by opening a Word document and inserting images or adding light-colored text.
In Word, head to the “Review” tab at the top. (1)
Then select “Accessibility settings.” (2)
You should now find the “Quick fix” box in the right pane where you can click “Review issues.”
Image from Microsoft
To fix all accessibility issues at once, select “Select all.” (1)
Then click “Apply to selected.” (2)
Image from Microsoft
↔️ Microsoft Planner: Resize columns in Grid view
Planner users can now click and drag to resize the columns in “Grid” view.
Full Story and Our Insights:
Microsoft has introduced a column resizing feature in Planner, making it easier to organize information in the “Grid” view. This minor update allows users to click and drag to resize the columns.
In Planner, select the “Grid” view.
Hover between the columns until you see the drag icon.
Then click and drag to resize the column.
🛡️ VirusTotal: FREE Protection Against Phishing Attacks
VirusTotal is a free online file and link scanner, that could prove vital in safeguarding your data against phishing attacks.
Full Story and Our Insights:
In 2024, security experts have reported a 341% increase in email attacks, such as phishing and business email compromise (BEC).
In response to this surge in malicious emails, we’re sharing a valuable asset to safeguard your data against attacks.
VirusTotal is a free online service that enables users to analyze suspicious files, URLs, domains, and IP addresses and detect malware and other threat types.
It aggregates results from multiple antivirus engines, website scanners, file and URL analysis tools, and other security features to provide a comprehensive report on potential threats.
Scan suspicious links sent via email!
If you receive a suspicious link in an email, right-click and copy the link (don’t click it!) and head to VirusTotal.
There, click “URL.” (1)
Then paste the link into the input box, and hit Enter on your keyboard. (2)
Alternatively, you can use the VirusTotal extension for Chrome and Edge browsers, making it easier to scan selected links in Outlook online.
Here’s how on Google Chrome:
Head to the Chrome Web Store.
Click “Add to Chrome.”
Click “Add extension” in the popup.
Here’s how on Microsoft Edge:
Head to the Edge Add-ons page.
Click “Get.”
Click “Add extension” in the popup.
When you see a suspicious link in an email, right-click the link.
Go to “VT4Browsers” in the popup menu.
Then select “Scan selected link.”
Now virustotal.com will open in a new browser tab and begin scanning the link. Once the scan is complete, you’ll be shown the results. In this case, no security vendors flagged this URL as malicious.
Watch the full video guide:
🕟 The Best Client Folder System in Outlook
If you work with clients regularly in Outlook, we highly recommend creating a dedicated folder for each client.
To keep your inbox organized, make a rule whenever you start working with a new client.
This rule will move emails from that client into their designated folder, ensuring that important communications are always easy to find.
Here’s how to do it:
1: Create a “Clients” folder.
Click “Create new folder” at the bottom of your folders list. (1)
Alternatively, click the (…) three dots next to “Folders.” (2)
Then select “Create new folder.” (3)
Name the folder “Clients.” (1)
Then click “Save.” (2)
2: Create a rule for each new client.
Click the settings icon in the top right.
Ensure you’re in the “Mail” tab in the left menu. (1)
Select “Rules.” (2)
Click “+ Add new rule.” (3)
Enter a name for the rule; this could be the client’s name. (1)
Click the select box under “Add a condition.” (2)
Select “From” in the popup list. (3)
Enter the email address of the new client in the input box next to the select box.
Select “Move to” under “Add an action.” (1)
Click the “Select a folder” select box and choose “Create new folder.” (2)
Give the new folder the same name as the client. (1)
Then hit “Save.” (2)
Finally, click “Save” at the bottom.
Now, when you receive an email from that client, the emails will be moved automatically into their folder within the “Clients” folder.
✅ WRAPPING UP!
That’s all for this edition of On The Pulse.
Thanks for reading and see you soon! 👋